(10 ILCS 5/12A-10)

Sec. 12A-10. Candidate statements and photographs in the Internet Guide.

(a) Any candidate whose name appears in the Internet Guide may submit a written statement and a photograph to appear in the Internet Guide, provided that:

(1) No personal statement may exceed a brief biography (name, age, education, and current employment) and an additional 400 words.

(2) Personal statements may include contact information for the candidate, including the address and phone number of the campaign headquarters, and the candidate's website.

(3) Personal statements may not mention a candidate's opponents by name.

(4) No personal statement may include language that may not be legally sent through the mail.

(5) The photograph shall be a conventional photograph with a plain background and show only the face, or the head, neck, and shoulders, of the candidate.

(6) The photograph shall not (i) show the candidate's hands, anything in the candidate's hands, or the candidate wearing a judicial robe, a hat, or a military, police, or fraternal uniform or (ii) include the uniform or insignia of any organization.

(b) The Board must note in the text of the Internet Guide that personal statements were submitted by the candidate or his or her designee and were not edited by the Board.

(c) Where a candidate declines to submit a statement, the Board may note that the candidate declined to submit a statement.

(d) (Blank.)

(e) Anyone other than the candidate submitting a statement or photograph from a candidate must attest that he or she is doing so on behalf and at the direction of the candidate. The Board may assess a civil fine of no more than $1,000 against a person or entity who falsely submits a statement or photograph not authorized by the candidate.

(f) Nothing in this Article makes the author of any statement exempt from any civil or criminal action because of any defamatory statements offered for posting or contained in the Internet Guide. The persons writing, signing, or offering a statement for inclusion in the Internet Guide are deemed to be its authors and publishers, and the Board shall not be liable in any case or action relating to the content of any material submitted by any candidate.

(g) The Board may set reasonable deadlines for the submission of personal statements and photographs.

(h) The Board may set formats for the submission of statements and photographs. The Board may require that statements and photographs are submitted in an electronic format.

(i) Fines collected pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section shall be deposited into the Voters' Guide Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury. Moneys in the Voters' Guide Fund shall be appropriated solely to the State Board of Elections for use in the implementation and administration of this Article 12A.

(Source: P.A. 94-645, eff. 8-22-05; 95-699, eff. 11-9-07.)